Hardwick ‘Re-Opening’ Recruitment, not Released Yet

P.J. Hardwick, a member of the 2012 Mississippi State basketball signing class, announced on Twitter today that he is “re-opening” his recruitment (CLICK HERE). An MSU compliance official told the Journal that he has not received a release request from Hardwick, nor has the school initiated a release, so as of right now he is still under scholarship.

This is not a surprising development, however, and it’s probably just a matter of the paperwork getting done.

Hardwick was a fall signee, when Rick Stansbury was still coach. New coach Rick Ray, who was hired April 1, has been trying to piece together a roster that will suit his style of play. He cut loose point guard Josh Gray last month (CLICK HERE), then last week signed point guard Jacoby Davis and shooting guard Andre Applewhite (CLICK HERE).

So if Hardwick is indeed gone, the current MSU signing class stands at five again. The Stansbury holdovers are guard Fred Thomas, guard Craig Sword and forward Gavin Ware. State has five scholarship players returning, so there is plenty of room for more.

In fact, Ray just picked up juco big man Colin Borchert, according to Paul Jones of Bulldawgs247.com. Borchert, who reportedly visited MSU this weekend, is a 6-foot-8 power forward from East Mississippi CC. No word yet on if he’s actually signed; that would make it a six-man class, of course.